Pays de Grignan – In the footsteps of Aiguebelle Abbey

Mountain bike trail no. 4
(S/E) From the Espace Sévigné, follow signpost no. 4, cross a road and arrive at a fork

(1) Continue along the path on the right, fording the Berre, then head up a path to reach the beautiful stone hamlet of Bayonne.

(2) Cross the hamlet and, a little further on, turn right onto a path that is occasionally technical (due to large stones). Continue uphill to reach the Le Terron signpost (alt. 348m); further on, take a path that is quite steep in places, then head straight down to reach a fork in the path.

(3) Turn left onto the^GR®429, then head down a technical path (roots and stones). At Pré Laccard (alt. 262m), continue straight along the path, pass the Chemin des vignes (alt. 275m) and reach the Abbaye d’Aiguebelle. You must walk this section! Otherwise, follow the ‘4 Bis’ signposting to go round the Abbaye.

(4) At the Aiguebelle Abbey signpost (alt. 249m), take a path on the right which climbs and joins the road: Watch out for cars! Take a fairly steep path uphill to the left to reach the start of a fabulous, long single track.

(5) Follow the^GR®, cross the road: Watch out for cars! Opposite, at Serre de la Motte (alt. 240m), take a path through the woodland, which can be muddy in wet weather. At the Combe de l’Aubagne signpost (alt. 192m), follow a track suitable for vehicles to the right, passing in front of a beautiful stone house.

(6) On the right, take the footpath following the^GR®429, and climb up the Croz du Fau ravine – a technical climb with a pushchair for about 150m. At the top, follow signpost no. 4 to reach the Wind Farm (alt. 347m). Further on, head back down a wide path, then a small road.

(7) Turn left onto a path leading to the bottom of a ravine, then climb back up to emerge onto a small road. Further on, follow a path downhill. Take a ridge path to reach a water reservoir, then head back down to Roussas, passing by the Chapelle Saint-Michel.

(8) Turn left, then further on, take a farm track on the right which leads to the start of a long climb through the pine trees. When you reach the ‘Les Plaines’ signpost (alt. 265m), head towards Réauville.

(9) In Réauville, on Rue de la Cure (alt. 255m), head down a small road and follow a track to Le Vergier. Shortly afterwards, take a lovely path through the holm oaks leading to the hamlet of Toutyfaut. Then take a path running alongside lavender fields and follow a track before joining a road.

(10) Turn right and continue along the small road to reach the D541. Do not take this road, but keep to the left and follow the path alongside the fields until you reach a track suitable for vehicles.

(1) Return to the start of the route, follow it in the opposite direction to the finish, enjoying a superb view of Grignan Castle. (S/E)

We strongly recommend that you take the IGN map referenced on these pages with you. Mountain bikers must be self-sufficient; professional guides are available if required. Emergency numbers: 18 or 112
Enquiries at the Pays de Grignan - Enclave des Papes Tourist Office: 04 75 46 56 75 (Grignan) and 04 90 35 04 71 (Valréas)
Grignan Tourist Office
Valréas Tourist Office